Rangers Dark Horse MVP Candidate?
The Texas Rangers have four quality hitters at the top of their batting order. But one of them, according to Audacy.com, could be a dark horse candidate for Most Valuable Player.
Audacy put together a list of six candidates, players like Atlanta’s Matt Olson, Miami’s Sandy Alcántara, Philadelphia’s J.T. Realmuto, Toronto’s Matt Champan and Cleveland’s Andrés Giménez.
Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien also made the list.
Per Audacy.com:
Semien was an AL MVP finalist in both 2019 and 2021, so if he continues to follow the every-other-year plan, 2023 should be a special season. The Rangers have quite a bit of star power on their team but are one of the more top-heavy teams in the sport. If they're going to return to the postseason for the first time since 2016, stars like Semien, Corey Seager and Jacob deGrom will need to have MVP-caliber seasons.
Semien admitted last week that the labor negotiations of last season didn’t help his preparation for last season. Semien was on the players union’s negotiating team. His batting average hovered around .200 for most of April and May and didn’t hit a home run until late May.
His gradual rise coincided with former manager Chris Woodward moving Semien to the leadoff spot.
By the end of the season, Semien’s batting numbers were respectable — 248/.304/.429/.733 with 101 runs, 31 doubles, five triples, 26 home runs and 83 RBI. He also stole 25 bases, making one of two Rangers last season to have 25 home runs and 25 stolen bases. Adolis García was the other.
The slow start on offense didn’t affect his defense, as he was a Gold Glove finalist at second base.
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